Unusual FAA Bid Stirs Turbulence

Raytheon's Rivals Grumble Over Pitch
For Air-Traffic-Control Contract

After decades of relying on ground-based technology to control traffic in the sky, the Federal Aviation Administration is looking to the heavens -- and a few major companies -- for a better solution.

Three separate teams are vying to get in on the ground floor of a $15 billion-plus project that is expected to become the cornerstone of the next generation air-traffic-control system. The system, scheduled to be in widespread use no later than 2020, is expected to improve safety and help reduce costly delays.